Is ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm worth it? Who it suits, and who should skip it
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is one of the best-known luxury cleansers in the UK: a rich balm that melts into an oil, then turns milky with water, so it removes make-up and cleanses in one step. This is a research-based guide rather than a hands-on test. It covers what you get, how to use it and who it's worth it for, using ELEMIS's own product information and UK retailers' listings.
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 100g
What works
- Removes make-up and cleanses in one step, and can be left on as a short mask
- ELEMIS says it removes long-wear and waterproof make-up
- Made with elderberry, starflower and Optimega oils, padina pavonica algae, and rose and mimosa waxes; no mineral oil
- You only need an almond-sized amount each time, according to ELEMIS
- Sold in several sizes, so you can try a small jar first
Worth knowing
- Scented with a blend of nine essential oils, including lavender and eucalyptus, which won't suit everyone with sensitive skin
- New jars no longer come with a cleansing cloth (ELEMIS stopped including them from October 2023), so you'll need your own muslin or flannel
- Slower than a gel or micellar water: you massage it in, add water, then rinse or wipe it off
- ELEMIS lists it for normal, dry, combination and mature skin, so very oily skin may prefer a gel cleanser
Who it's for
It's worth it if you wear make-up most days, enjoy a cleansing routine rather than a quick splash, and like a scented, spa-like product. Skip the original if you have sensitive skin or react to essential oils: ELEMIS's fragrance-free version, or a fragrance-free balm such as Clinique Take The Day Off, is the safer choice.
The balm comes in a jar and feels solid and waxy. As you massage it onto dry skin it melts into an oil, and when you add water it turns into a milk, which is what lifts make-up and grime so they rinse away. ELEMIS calls this its 3-in-1 texture.
ELEMIS's method is to warm an almond-sized amount between your palms, breathe in the scent, then massage it over a dry face, gently working it over the eyes and lips to break down make-up. Wet your fingertips and keep massaging until it turns milky, then rinse it off or wipe it away with a warm, damp cloth. Retailers also suggest leaving a thicker layer on as a mask for around ten minutes.
ELEMIS names elderberry oil, starflower oil, its own Optimega oil, padina pavonica algae, and rose and mimosa waxes as the key ingredients, and says the formula is free of mineral oil. The scent comes from a blend of nine essential oils, including lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus, and it is noticeable.
ELEMIS sells the original in 20g, 50g, 100g and 200g sizes, and the 20g travel size is a sensible way to try it first. The link on this page is for the 100g jar. There are also scented editions, such as Rose, and a fragrance-free version that ELEMIS formulated for sensitive skin and use around the eyes.
It has a strong following: it won Best Cleansing Product at the SheerLuxe Beauty Awards 2024.
If the original isn't right for you, there are good alternatives. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is fragrance-free and does the same balm-to-oil job more simply. Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm still comes with a cleansing cloth and is a richer choice for dry skin. The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Makeup Cleansing Butter is a lower-cost balm that the brand says is suitable for contact lens wearers.
How this page was written: I haven't tested this balm myself. Everything here comes from ELEMIS's product information and major UK retailers' listings. If I test it, I'll update this page with a hands-on verdict.
The verdict
If you wear make-up most days and want a cleanser that feels like a treat, the original balm is an easy first step into luxury skincare: it removes make-up and cleanses in one go, and you can try it in a small size first. If you have sensitive skin or dislike scented products, choose ELEMIS's fragrance-free version or a fragrance-free alternative instead.
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 100g
Featured in
GuideLuxury beauty gifts worth the splurge: Christmas 2026Six prestige beauty gifts from Estée Lauder, ELEMIS, Clarins, Sol de Janeiro, Molton Brown and L'Occitane, and who each one suits.
GuideSix cult skincare icons, and who they actually suitEstée Lauder, Clarins, ELEMIS, Clinique, Dermalogica and Paula's Choice icons explained: what each one does, who it suits and who should skip it.